Lightroom
 

Hello,
I've been using Photoshop since 2017. Learning how to use it with YouTube videos. I've had varying success.
I recently joined Instagram. Some bloke messaged me asking me what editing software I used and he recommended Lightroom to me.
I actually had Lightroom as part of my photoshop subscription, but found it incredibly limited..
What I hadn't realised was I had only installed the Lightroom CC program and not the (also included in my subscription) Lightroom Classic.

I've been using Lightroom Classic for a couple of weeks now and am really impressed. I've only used Photoshop a handful of times since.

Who else uses Lightroom? Has anyone purchased any presets? If so, any recommendations?

Here's some recent photos that I've processed through Lightroom:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...463b777e_z.jpgAfon Teifi at Cenarth, Ceredigion, Wales.... by Philip Davies, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...40d20a27_z.jpgPorthcawl lighthouse, again... by Philip Davies, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...29739f8e_z.jpgCwm Mawr waterfall, Wales..... by Philip Davies, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3f9b9f79_z.jpgThe Green Bridge of Wales, (Pont Werdd Cymru) Pembrokeshire, Wales... by Philip Davies, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...7054d737_z.jpgCastlemartin, Wales... by Philip Davies, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...1ea6a5d7_z.jpgCastlemartin, Wales.. by Philip Davies, on Flickr

I love Lightroom, particularly for batch processing. One thing to look for and master is the clone/heal function. I havent tried any above version 5 (they were introduced in 3 I think). Clicking on the 'previous' button (if still part of it) is very useful. Particulaly if you investigate the settings of it, as it will paste selected functions, including the clone tool, which if you have stubborn dust on the sensor, you can clean up images at the press of a button.

Be careful with the presets. There are so many out there, and I once obtained a bundle, all were pretty good, but simply too many of them it became mind boggling. I learned after a while to create my own for certain situations. If you do, take a note or try to save them if you get a new computer - you will lose it (obviously) and have to start again - ask me how I know this:duh::duh::duh::duh:

Another thing is to get into the habit of adding meta data to your images from the start. It will make life easier for you in the future, when searching for an image, and not be lumbered with thousands of images without being able to find them lol.

I’ve not taken any photos for a while other than of the new car. I generally shoot raw files so I import into Lightroom first and do basic editing then export to photoshop to finish.

I had Lightroom as part of a bundle for quite some while, but couldn't get on with it at first. I then had a chat with Jeff (Coolcat) who recommended it and persuaded me to give it another go.

Glad I listened to him, as I now use it all the time, and Photoshop hardly gets a look in :xmas-smiley-008:.

Cliff

I have a stand alone version 4 of Lightroom, the stand alone goes up to version 6 and can still be bought on eBay. I couldn’t get on with the photoshop bundle and cancelled my monthly subscription. I use version 4 to add a copyright signature to my photos and for tidying up in final editing.

I use Lightroom Classic for most of my editing only using Photoshop for more complex stuff, same as Mark :)

Thanks guys. I'm really enjoying Lightroom. I've downloaded a number of free presets that have worked really well on some of my photos. Far better than I could ever have managed with Photoshop.
Some of these I've modified and saved the settings.

Of the paid presets available, are they really better than the free ones?

I cannot say, but would wager if it suits your image, then yes. If it doesnt then no. What I would say, is to learn the program, and what it can do for you. Presets (at least the ones that I have used) are simply just adjustments that others have found successful for what they needed (or what others wanted perhaps). You say you have adjusted and saved your own, keep at that and work it, you will begin to see what you can do with your images.

One set I liked was a monochrome set, which had some film emulations. But none of them were nothing I couldnt do myself. Some within it, I didnt know I needed/wanted lol. All though, needed slight tweaks to suit my tastes, or the image.